HARRY D. COPLAND 1896-1976 AKA Harry Depew Copland

Pioneer Aviator 1917

Fall, 1941

President of E.B.'s 1969

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES via email from John Vargas, 10-16-08 Hello Ralph:      Here is information to add about H.D. Copland, and I do have his WWI, and WWII wings.      Harry Depew Copland (1896-1976) was an Early Bird, soloing in a glider in 1909 and in an airplane in 1911. His many achievements include: exhibition flights, (1911); British Blockade Runners, radio officer (1915-1916); Canadian Royal Flying Corps 203rd Squadron, 1st Lieutenant and Flight Commander (1917-1919); District Manager of the New England Flying Service in charge of Curtiss Primary School Flying Operations (1929-1932). During World War II he served at Maxwell Field, AL, and as commanding officer of the 19th AAF Basic Flying Detachment at Greenville, S.C. Copland was also involved with Altantic Airways, Inc., United Air Lines, and was the Director of Florida Aviation Department. Regards John Vargas

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COPLAND BACK IN THE HARNESS      Harry D. Copland, who retired from the Air Force just before Pete Goff, and who was one of the two last EB's in active service in Uncle Sam's flying force, is back in the harness again. Harry couldn't stand inactivity and is now helping run the Air Force contract flying school for his old friend E. M. Anderson. His address is Anderson Air Activities, Malden Air Base, Missouri. Says they have about 500 students, mostly 2nd lieutenants with some cadets. They're using T-28's and T-34's, but hope to have jets (T-37's) before too long.      Harry is working harder than in service and loving every minute of it. Some day he may really retire in Florida, but not now. Prior to his service retirement, Col. Copland was with the 14th Air Force at Robins Air Force Base. from The Early Birds of Aviation CHIRP, March, 1957 Number 56

 

EARLY BIRD MEETING, WISCONSIN, 1969      Harry attended this meeting and you will see him standing with the other Early Birds in front of a replica of a 1912 Curtiss. You can access the site by clicking on the title above.

 

HARRY D. COPLAND, PIONEER AVIATOR BY HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE      Harry D. Copland was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, April 17th, 1896, where he attended grade and Rindge Technical schools. He became interested in aviation at an early age and started making model airplanes. This led to his meeting Norman Prince, whose father had given a Chanute-type glider, with which they both made some hops at Franklin Field, Boston in 1909.      Shortly after this his parents moved to Detroit, Michigan, where Copland assisted Herbert Buchbinder in building a Curtiss-type pusher bipland equipped with a 30-40 H.P. maximotor engine. There on August 25th, 1911 Copland made his first straightaway hop with this machine on the Ferry Farm near what is now the intersection of Grand River Avenue and West Grand Boulevard in Detroit. He continued his practice and succeeded in learning to fly. In September, 1911 he qualified for the Aeronautical Society Flying Certificate when he made a brief flight with his plane in a field near the Continental Motors Corporation plane in East Detroit. During this period Copland was also interested in wireless telegraphy and operated an amateur station. from The Early Birds of Aviation CHIRP, January, 1969, Number 75   Editor's Note: If you have any information on this pioneer aviator please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper   Back